19 Jun The Footwear Industry’s Business and Trade Association (FDRA) STRONGLY responds to President Trumps claims that Canadians are “smuggling” shoes into Canada from the US to avoid tariffs:

The Footwear Industry’s Business and Trade Association (FDRA) STRONGLY responds to President Trumps claims that Canadians are “smuggling” shoes into Canada from the US to avoid tariffs:

“On behalf of the American footwear industry, we welcome anyone from anywhere to come and purchase shoes in America. It helps both our brands and retailers grow. Period. We don’t care where they wear them, and if they get scuffed up all the better so we can sell them more,” said FDRA President and CEO Matt Priest. “The President seems misinformed about footwear trade. Consumers buying shoes in America already pay a very high tariff, upwards of 37.5% and 67.5%. NAFTA is not treating footwear consumers in America unfairly, the American government itself has not lowered footwear duties in a meaningful way in over 80 years. If the President is concerned about treating American footwear companies and consumers fairly, then he should have signed the TPP to lower footwear costs in America. Canada signed the TPP and will eventually get duty free shoes from Vietnam, a major sourcing hub, where American brands will ship directly into Canada duty free. Canadian’s have no real reason to “smuggle” their shoes because their government is already helping lower their costs through proper trade deals.

About FDRA: FDRA is the footwear industry’s voice in Washington. It represents and advocates for the entire industry from small family owned footwear businesses to global footwear companies. In all, it supports over 130 companies and 200 brands, or 80% of total U.S. footwear sales, making it America’s largest and most respected footwear trade association. Learn more at FDRA.org